Spata, Mystras, and Monemvasia

This trip started off just like the last excursion. Get there at the time were suppose to be meeting the bus and our coordinator. And neither are there. Wait 10 mins finally our coordinator shows up but still no bus. Another 30 mins later our bus finally shows up. Now were about 40mins behind schedule. We drive about an hour and a 1/2 to our first stop the Corinth Canal which we stopped at last time. Last time we had 15 mins to see the canal, get food and go to the bathroom. This time we have 30mins to do the exact the same stuff, which doesn't make any sense to me. Well we happened to be there for 40 mins, so now were even further behind schedule.

After another 2-21/2 hours we finally make it to Sparta. We arrive about 1:30ish and Mystras the only thing in Sparta to really see closes at 3. by the time were get throw the gate we have less than an hour and a half to explore. Needless to say we didn't get to see everything in the place, which is a let down because it was a cool place. It would have been a great view on a good day, however it was kinda rainy and at the very top you were in a cloud so you couldn't really see that far in front of you.

We were the last people in Mystras that the gate keepers were blowing whistles and threatening to lock us in there. However after a lunch was very good in Sparta, I got a chiken souvlaki with bacon, and yes that is how they spelled chicken, Greeks don't know their English very well. 

After another 2 hours on the bus we reach our hotel in Monemvasia. Our hotel had a great view. It was right on the Sea.

That night we went to an amazing dinner where the restaurant produced their own wine, and it use to produce olive oil. They gave us a free tasting of their wine along with cheese before dinner. Then they
told us about the how olive oil used to be produced. The owner only spoke Greek so we had our coordinator translate what he was saying for us. However, according to my personal translator she was not doing such a good job, and messed but a couple of time. So I'm not sure which one is correct.

 Olive press machines

 Home made wine

Since, this post is getting long I'll save the first night adventures for another post. The next day we went into the Fortress of Monemvasia. It was never taken over by a force. The only reason it fell from the power was from internal problems. We thought it was just gonna be a little fort with some ruins on the top hill. However, when we got through the gate, there was an entire town, with homes, shops, restaurants and of course tons of churches. A lot of the buildings were redone but they were redone in the same style as the buildings in the olden days. It was a really cool place to go and see. Probably one of the best so far.